On or about January 29, 2026, at approximately 9:15 P.M., a state patrol officer on routine patrol in a fully marked MN State Patrol squad car was driving westbound on I-694 near Brooklyn Boulevard in Brooklyn Center, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The officer passed a Chevrolet Impala with MN license plate [PLATE REDACTED] and noticed the driver holding a phone up in his hand with the screen illuminated. The officer positioned his squad car behind the Impala to initiate a traffic stop for use of a cellphone while driving.
The officer initiated his emergency lights, and the Impala did not yield or slow. The Impala increased its speed from approximately 60 MPH to 67 MPH. After about 14 seconds with the emergency lights on, the officer also activated the squad’s sirens. The Impala still did not slow or come to a stop. The officer aired that the Impala was slow to stop for a traffic stop, and a second officer in a marked squad car arrived as support. Both officers followed the Impala in their squad cars with lights and sirens activated.
The Impala exited the highway on to County Road 81, approximately 1.2 miles after the first officer initiated his emergency lights. On the ramp to County Road 81, one officer positioned his squad car in front of the Impala, and one positioned his squad car behind the Impala, forcing the Impala to stop as it became boxed in. The officer approached the Impala and identified the driver as CARL DWAYNE FLEMING, [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant” herein). Defendant told officers he did not initially stop because he was scared, he did not have a license, and he was on probation.
Defendant did not answer any further questions. Officers confirmed, using DVS records, that Defendant’s driver’s license status was Canceled – Inimical to Public Safety at the time of the traffic stop. Officers arrested Defendant and transported him to the Hennepin County jail. Defendant remains in custody.
